August/September 2024 Issue of Becker's Clinical Leadership & Infection Control
ON THE COVER
8 hospitals leading the way in antimicrobial stewardship
The Infectious Diseases Society of America has recognized eight hospitals for excellence in antimicrobial stewardship.
Drug-resistant infections up 20% from 2019-22: CDC
Six bacterial antimicrobial-resistant hospital-onset infections have increased by a combined 20% since 2019, a CDC report found.
'Aggressive nurse recruitment is growing,' 130+ nurse groups say
The International Council of Nurses, an organization of more than 130 national nurses associations, is warning about some high-income countries recruiting nurses from vulnerable countries with critical health worker shortages.
The price of being a workaholic
People addicted to work are more likely than their peers to report health complaints — which is only one cost of workaholism, The Washington Post reported July 21.
Children's hospitals have 'stopped competing on safety' — maybe adult hospitals should too
In 2012, a program for children's hospitals in the U.S. and Canada launched to eliminate patient and employee harm.
An overlooked safety improvement area for hospitals
Health systems must ensure they're working to better understand and prevent safety risks among patients with disabilities, said Tejal Gandhi, MD, chief safety and transformation officer at Press Ganey.
University Hospitals' spin on virtual nursing
Many virtual nursing models involve separate teams where nurses work as either a bedside nurse or a virtual nurse. But Cleveland-based University Hospitals is taking a different approach.
Nurse workflow, Gen Z enter the patient experience spotlight
Patient experience measures are showing signs of rebounding after falling dramatically during the pandemic, and a few elements are entering the spotlight after having notable effects on hospital scores.
How to keep staff informed without fear, per 1 CNO
For Shannon Christian, MSN, RN, ensuring her team has a realistic view of the current state of the industry is a top priority.
Is COVID-19 endemic? Experts are split
The CDC now considers COVID-19 to be endemic, though not all health experts agree with this classification, NPR reported Aug. 9.
3 years of flexible nurse schedules — how it's going at Bon Secours Hampton Roads
Bon Secours Hampton Roads (Va.) market has embraced flexible nursing with autonomous scheduling and float shifts between hospitals for years.
INFECTION CONTROL
8 hospitals leading the way in antimicrobial stewardship
The Infectious Diseases Society of America has recognized eight hospitals for excellence in antimicrobial stewardship.
Is COVID-19 endemic? Experts are split
The CDC now considers COVID-19 to be endemic, though not all health experts agree with this classification, NPR reported Aug. 9.
Miami hospital reduces HAIs by 40% with 2 changes
Miami-based Jackson Memorial Hospital has reduced its hospital acquired infections by 40% in about nine months with two changes.
A new emerging fungal threat
Researchers in New York have found an emerging threat of ringworm fungus, Trichophyton indotineae, which is often resistant to standard therapy, according to a study published May 15 in JAMA Dermatology.
Drug-resistant infections up 20% from 2019-22: CDC
Six bacterial antimicrobial-resistant hospital-onset infections have increased by a combined 20% since 2019, a CDC report found.
PATIENT SAFETY & OUTCOMES
Children's hospitals have 'stopped competing on safety' — maybe adult hospitals should too
In 2012, a program for children's hospitals in the U.S. and Canada launched to eliminate patient and employee harm.
CMS proposes policies to reduce maternal mortality
CMS for the first time has proposed "baseline" requirements related to hospitals' obstetrical services, which include standards related to staffing and emergency readiness.
An overlooked safety improvement area for hospitals
Health systems must ensure they're working to better understand and prevent safety risks among patients with disabilities, said Tejal Gandhi, MD, chief safety and transformation officer at Press Ganey.
PATIENT & CAREGIVER EXPERIENCE
Nurse workflow, Gen Z enter the patient experience spotlight
Patient experience measures are showing signs of rebounding after falling dramatically during the pandemic, and a few elements are entering the spotlight after having notable effects on hospital scores.
How you stand can affect patients: Study
Clinician leaders might want to encourage their teams to meet hospitalized patients at their eye level, according to a meta-analysis published in the Journal of General Internal Medicine.
The price of being a workaholic
People addicted to work are more likely than their peers to report health complaints — which is only one cost of workaholism, The Washington Post reported July 21.
PAs urge AMA to drop 'scope creep' campaign
The American Academy of Physician Associates is calling on the American Medical Association to end its "scope creep" campaign, arguing a more collaborative approach is needed to strengthen the U.S. healthcare system amid significant provider shortages.
QUALITY IMPROVEMENT & MEASUREMENT
1 system leans into SimWars to improve patient care
Aurora-based Children's Hospital Colorado is using SimWars, the national simulation competition for emergency medicine residents, to train and inspire staff — resulting in better patient care and staff morale, as well as a substantial donation.
Pennsylvania hospital opens opioid-free surgery program
Pittsburgh-based UPMC Shadyside Hospital launched an opioid-free pathway for patients undergoing surgery or treatment who want alternative options for pain management, CBS News reported July 22.
Penn Medicine hospital lowers CLABSI rate to zero: Study
Penn Medicine's flagship hospital noted zero central line-associated bloodstream infections in fiscal years 2022 and 2023, according to a study published Aug. 1 in Critical Care Nurse.
A delay in hospital closure is posing patient safety risks, execs say
An ongoing exodus of healthcare workers from Mount Sinai Beth Israel is posing risks to patient safety "in the very near future," Politico reported July 17.
NYC hospital goes CLABSI-free for 6 quarters
NYC Health + Hospitals/Woodhull has won a national quality award for its work to reduce central line-associated bloodstream infections, the hospital said June 14.
NURSING SPOTLIGHT
CHS' nurse retention rate at 'highest level in a decade,' says CEO
Franklin, Tenn.-based Community Health Systems has hired almost 3,000 registered nurses during the first half of 2024 and its nurse retention rate is "very strong at its highest level in a decade," CEO Tim Hingtgen said July 25 during the company's second-quarter earnings call.
Rural Vermont turns to community nurses for care
More cities in Vermont are turning to community nurses to provide in-home health care, WBUR reported July 30.
University Hospitals' spin on virtual nursing
Many virtual nursing models involve separate teams where nurses work as either a bedside nurse or a virtual nurse. But Cleveland-based University Hospitals is taking a different approach.
'Aggressive nurse recruitment is growing,' 130+ nurse groups say
The International Council of Nurses, an organization of more than 130 national nurses associations, is warning about some high-income countries recruiting nurses from vulnerable countries with critical health worker shortages.
How to keep staff informed without fear, per 1 CNO
sFor Shannon Christian, MSN, RN, ensuring her team has a realistic view of the current state of the industry is a top priority.